Why did my iPhone backup suddenly become encrypted?

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Level 1

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Why did my iPhone backup suddenly become encrypted?

My iPhone 14 is suddenly showing that the backup is encrypted. I back regularly. I never checked the box and never entered a password. I have tried every typical password that I have used on other things. Nothing works. I have called Apple Support twice. They did a screen share and looked for any such password, but did not find it. They say it cannot be fixed. They say I would have to wipe my phone and start all over. Anyway to find out this password?

The other thing is how did this happen? Even if I HAD encrypted it, I would have used a very well known password. But for this very reason, I never encrypt backups.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Oct 21, 2024 6:16 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

KiltedTim

Level 10

234,870 points

Oct 29, 2024 5:11 AM in response to TechMuse88

If you have a work email account set up on your device, the administrators can enforce policies on the device, including requiring encrypted backups.

Try using the password for your work email account as the password.

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Answer 2

Oct 29, 2024 4:18 AM in response to TechMuse88

If I am understanding your question correctly, you forgot the password to an iPhone/iOS Backup? If you have an encrypted backup and do not remember the password for it, I believe I can help you retrieve it.

I only know how to do this with macOS (MacBook)...First, go to Applications. Open Finder, click Applications from sidebar. Next, go to Utilities folder then go to Keychain Access. Or hit F4 on your keyboard, which will open all your apps. Search Keychain Access in the search box at the top of the window.

Once Keychain is open, search 'backup' in the upper-right corner. Make sure you search under 'All Items.' Click any item(s) that has the word backup(This file should be...Kind: Application Password/Keychain: Login) and in the pop-up box with the file details, check the box that says show password. And Ta-Da! Your password for your backup should now be displayed.

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Why did my iPhone backup suddenly become encrypted?

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